Require a password or authentication for purchases

To prevent unauthorized purchases, you can require authentication for all purchases, including in-app purchases, made through this Google Play account on this device. This is important if you share your device with others or want to prevent purchases in kid-friendly apps. Authentication means certain information, like a password, must be entered on your device to make a purchase. If you need, you can change or reset your Google Account password.

Turn authentication on or off

Authentication settings apply only to the active account on the device where you add them. If you use your Google Account on more than one device, repeat the steps below for each device. If you use multiple accounts on your device, repeat the steps below for each account on the device.

What authentication settings mean

For all purchases through Google Play on this device (default setting): Authentication is required for every digital content purchase through Google Play (including within apps).

Every 30 minutes: Every time you authenticate for a purchase, you can continue to buy all forms of digital content through Google Play (including within apps) for the next 30 minutes without authenticating again.

Never: Authentication is not required for purchases. Disabling authentication may result in unauthorized purchases. You assume responsibility for all charges.

Note: To protect your account, authentication may be required for purchases regardless of settings.

For example, we require authentication for purchases regardless of your settings in apps that are designated by developers for ages 12 and under. In Google Play store app, these apps are labeled with a star badge and age categories “5 and under,” “6-8,” “6-12,” or “8 and under.”

We do not require authentication for apps with the star badge labeled “family-friendly,” and we do not require authentication for all apps in the Family category. Learn more about features for families in Google Play. We do not require authentication based on content ratings. Content ratings, such as "Everyone" or "Everyone 10+," don't tell you whether the app developer has designated its app for users of a specific age. Learn more about content ratings.

We may also require authentication for other fraud-prevention reasons.